North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola has been appointed as the foreign affairs secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science for a two-year term beginning in May 2024.
Prof Babalola, director of the Food Security and Safety research niche area, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Having collaborated on research projects with various countries, including Nigeria, her appointment highlights her commitment to fostering global partnerships.
In her vision for the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof Babalola emphasises the importance of maintaining and expanding productive relationships with international partners.
“I aim to facilitate capacity building, international research collaboration, and the advancement of scientific knowledge among academy members and foreign scientific organisations. Furthermore, I intend to leverage this position to promote science diplomacy, addressing global challenges while fostering peace and cooperation.
“My tenure will focus on promoting collaboration and exchange between the academy and other scientific institutions worldwide. I plan to implement initiatives to enhance engagement with international scientific bodies, fostering collaborative relationships and facilitating the establishment of partnerships,” she adds.
Additionally, Prof Babalola will represent the academy on the global stage, identifying and communicating international funding opportunities to support its endeavours.
With her leadership, the academy is poised to make significant contributions to addressing pressing global challenges and advancing scientific research and innovation on a global scale.
More about Prof Babalola
Prof Babalola has garnered many accolades and successfully secured various grants to support her research activities. She was recognised as a finalist in
GenderInSite 2020 and featured in Clarivate's highly cited top 1% -researchers for 2022 and 2023.
Her MBA background equips her to serve the academy in areas such as organisational behaviour, financial accounting, and operations management.
Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
